Wallace State’s Applied Technologies hosts 5th annual Career and Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day

You can watch video of the 5^th annual Signing Day video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5vUNn2Kyz0

View pictures from the event here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallacestate/albums/72157713198974927

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State’s Applied Technologies Division celebrated its 5^th annual Career and Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day recently, recognizing the college’s incoming students for the upcoming summer and fall semesters. The event was held in the acknowledgment of National Career Technical Education (CTE) Month through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3).

High school students from Cherokee, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Madison, Shelby, Walker and Winston Counties made the trip to Wallace State, pledging their allegiances to the college.

“You have made a decision to attend a high-quality, high-demand training program here at Wallace State. This is a celebration of you choosing a career and technical program. It’s your day and your celebration,” said Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Wallace State’s Dean of Applied Technologies. “We offer some of the highest quality training you’ll find anywhere in the country.”

Aailyah Wilson, a senior at Huffman High School, has decided to join Wallace State’s Building Construction program.

“I’m in an architecture and construction program in high school and I love it. I want to take it to the next level and pursue a career out of it,” Wilson said. “Wallace State is a great place to do it.”

Wallace State welcomed 39 incoming students who committed to join the following Wallace State programs: advanced automotive technology, aviation/flight technology, building construction, culinary arts, diesel technology, mechatronics/electronics/robotics, engineering technology, HVAC/refrigeration, machine tool technology, salon and spa management and welding.

The event is modeled after an athletics signing, and each student in attendance officially commits to their respective programs or majors as their future instructors look on.

“One of the cool things about today is these students aren’t here yet, but have envisioned themselves performing a certain type of trade or skill and this confirms those goals,” Hodges said. “It’s exciting to see the hope and glimmer in their eyes. The students also get a chance to tour their respective shops and see the environment they’re going to be at for the next two years.”

Representatives from Wallace State’s NC3 partners were in attendance in addition to Dale Greer from the Cullman Economic Development Agency.

Wallace State’s Applied Technologies Division has apprenticeship agreements with organizations like Mercedes-Benz and is a strong participant in the Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (F.A.M.E.) chapter.

For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.

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